Sub-standard work

[David M]

Hello,
I wonder whether anyone can advise on the quality of the block work in the attached photos. This is for a single storey extension. Block and Beam will be used.

Slightly concerned about the poor workmanship, and some of the tolerances which are out by 180mm.

As this block work is going to be below ground and out of sight, am I being overly cautious?

Many thanks

 

[^woody^]

Dafuq?

Is that Crappy O'Crap and Son Builders?

You are right to be concerned. "It's OK, you wont see it" is the moto of the incompetent.

 

[stuart45]

"It's OK, you wont see it" is the moto of the incompetent.

Must get the signs on my truck changed.

 

[^woody^]

Must get the signs on my truck changed.

Do it quick, before the OP wants his money back!

 

[stuart45]

Why should he want his money back? That looks like a really good job to me.

 

[garyo]

I think I can see the Labrador prints in the surrounding concrete slab.

 

[^woody^]

I suppose its all about perspective.

For a bomb crater in Damascus, it might pass. But for a display at the Tate, it may need a bit more work.

Admittedly, it is good how someone can tip stuff off the back of the lorry, and it lands in some sort of order like that. When I try, it just ends up in a pile of rubble

 

[tomfe]

Yes I agree it's substandard work.
Have they left the wall like that with mortar ontop at the end of the day?

 

[David M]

Thank you to everyone above for your useful, and sometimes amusing, comments!

Yes it's diabolical workmanship, and I'm just a teacher. Regarding the mortar that has been left on the top row of bricks, yes that's been like that for several days. Surely can't be right?!

I spoke to the bricklaying company. "Dunno why you're worried about it, mate. You won't be able to see it" was his response.

 

[stuart45]

They did that to get the blockwork a bit more level.

 

[stuart45]

Although the work looks rough I have left mortar on the top of the wall myself on site in the past to level up the wall. However when I work on private jobs I have learned to make the work look much neater as the average HO worries when they see something that wouldn't matter on site.

 

[^woody^]

Seriously, even if you can't see the wall, it should be level, the tops of the blocks should be at the correct level, joints should be full, joints should be of even thickness, joints should not be more than 15mm, cuts should be even, and mortar should not be smudged all over the place like they are icing a cake.

That is shocking, and the fact that they are defending it shows that they really have not got a scooby.

Ask yourself what the bits you will see will look like, and can you rely on the walls being built to the appropriate standard, structurally sound and damp resistant?

I'd **** them right off before they mess the rest of the job up.

Sorry for my French if you're a French teacher.